Citation

Montes S. Sex Res. Social Policy 2011; 4(3): 50-61.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, National Sexuality Resource Center)

DOI

10.1525/srsp.2007.4.3.50

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Recent national surveys in Mexico showed that at least 1 out of 5 married women experienced some form of domestic violence in the previous year. Such violence not only has consequences for women’s health and well-being but also can limit their decision-making capacity in sexual and reproductive matters. This article reports on how a Mexican Indian women’s organization dealt with the problem of domestic violence and its consequences. Framing this case in the wider processes that have taken place at the national level, the article shows how the sexual and reproductive rights discourse has been appropriated as an important tool for collective actions undertaken to change local values and practices in an effort to build a new culture of women’s rights. The research drew on various sources of information: interviews with women and local leaders, reports and studies done by the Mexican government and other researchers, and women’s networks.